§ Sir J. Nallasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ensure that of Territorial soldiers in reserved occupations now actually serving only those who are assured of employment will be discharged; and whether he is aware that men who have served over a year and attended camp are being discharged on grounds of reserved occupation against their wishes and with no prospect of employment?
§ Mr. Hore-Belisha:The only men being discharged by reason of their civil occupations are those below the rank of non-commissioned officer whose occupations are reserved in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations at the age of 23 or below and who cannot be employed in the appropriate trades in their units. Occupations which are reserved at so low an age as 23 are among those in which there is a considerable demand for skilled men in war and I will take up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour the type of case where employment does not appear to be available for men combed-out.